Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve rolled out a series of hotfixes aimed at improving overall pacing and playability of the low-level (1-20) experience. We started by adding a number of modern conveniences to our low-level quest experience, and will continue to roll these improvements forward across other legacy content in the future. We’ve also made some improvements to the overall pace of combat at low levels: Due to the accumulated effect of years’ worth of max-level tuning adjustments, many classes were killing low-level enemies nearly instantaneously, even without heirloom gear or other advantages. A summary of the hotfixes follows:

Most quest bosses from level 1-20 should now be multitap and will scale their health with the numbers of players fighting them.
Added dynamic respawn behavior to most level 1-20 outdoor areas, so that spawns will be more readily available during times of high player traffic.
Players who die in low-level dungeons should now release to the entrance of the dungeon, consistent with the practice in dungeons from more recent expansions.
Level 1-10 enemy NPCs now deal slightly more damage.
Reduced the bonus to out-of-combat health regeneration that players receive when below level 20.
Reduced player damage at low levels to improve overall combat pacing. In general, Strength and Agility classes saw a larger reduction in damage than did casters. Damage dealt is unchanged from level 40 onwards.

We see these changes as the beginning, rather than an endpoint – much work remains to improve tuning and pacing of the old-world level-up experience, and our efforts will continue into Legion and beyond.

Posted 2016/05/24 at 8:08 PM by perculia

Latest Hotfixes in Tweets, Death Knight Creation Change -- No Level 55 Requirement

Nethaera

With availability of the level 90 character boost, we feel the requirement to have a character level 55 or higher to unlock the Death Knight as a playable class is no longer relevant. The plan right now is to remove the limitation sometime next week, at which point players will be able to start a new Death Knight (which still begins at level 55) without first having to reach level 55 on another character.

Edit: A later post stated that this would be delayed to a new content patch.

Crithto

Upon looking into making this change, we discovered that a few client-side adjustments would need to go through in order for it to work. Therefore, our new plan is to remove the level 55 requirement for Death Knight creation in an upcoming content patch.

Hotfixes in Tweet Format

Posted 2014/12/12 at 11:09 AM by perculia

Talador Leveling Guide

TaladorMolten Core requiring 100 for the 10th anniversary event

Posted 2014/11/29 at 1:24 PM by perculia

Gorgrond Leveling Guide, Black Friday Deals at Blizzard Gear Shop and Plantronics

Black Friday DealsBlizzard Shop30%40%50%Pandaren Brewmaster figurinePlantronics Gamecom 780$39.99Gorgrond Leveling GuideGorgrondGarrison ResourcesMolten Core requiring 100 for the 10th anniversary event

Posted 2014/11/28 at 11:47 AM by perculia

Shadowmoon Valley Leveling Guide, November 26th Hotfixes

November 26th Hotfixeslarge batch of hotfixes from yesterday

Lore

We've just pushed live a hotfix that increases the healing done by Enveloping Mists by 50%. This most likely won't be added to the hotfix blog until after the weekend, but we wanted to be sure you were aware of it before then, as it's already active. :)

Lore

Due to an error, there were a few glyphs that were unable to be crafted via Inscription, which made them unobtainable. These glyphs are:

Glyph of the Sun (Druid)
(Priest)
(Shaman)
(Monk)

To make sure players have access to them, we've added them to the Inscription vendors in Stormshield and Warspear. Alliance players can purchase them from Joao Calhandro, and Horde players can purchase them from Maru'sa.

Update: We're also working on adding (Paladin) and (Shaman). Glyph of Cleanse will be added to the Inscription vendors like the other glyphs. Glyph of Frostbrand Weapon's item is missing from the game files, so we can't add it to the vendors via hotfix. Instead, it will be automatically taught to all Shaman level 75 or higher.

Shadowmoon Valley Leveling GuideShadowmoon ValleyGarrison ResourcesMolten Core requiring 100 for the 10th anniversary event

Posted 2014/11/26 at 12:10 PM by perculia

Live

Leveling from 1-60: Questing and Dungeons Guide

upcoming level boosts

Posted 2014/03/08 at 11:41 AM by perculia

Live

Leveling Guide: Experience Gains, RAF, Heirlooms, Gear Basics

This is out of date for RAF. Recommend viewing this instead.

Click the cut to read the guide!

Posted 2013/11/16 at 12:53 PM by perculia

Live

No Flying in Draenor Until 6.1

Warlords of Draenor

Previous expansions did not allow players to fly when leveling up--Warlords of Draenor will work in the same way.

Blizzard is happy with how Isle of Thunder and Timeless Isle were max level zones with only ground mounts, and thinks level 100 players in Warlords will be similarly successful.

Flying trivializes combat--you can just leave combat at will. Imagine what dungeons or battlegrounds would be like if you could fly--the experience would be cheapened.

The pacing of outdoor zones is thrown off by flying combat. Zones suddenly appear much smaller since traveling is fast, mountains and other striking scenery is diminished when you can just fly there, and the sense of exploration is toned down.

comprehensive expansion guide

Posted 2013/11/13 at 8:25 PM by perculia

Live

Mists of Pandaria: Zones Overview

Quests and their ilvl rewards.

Dungeons and raids, as well as their minimum ilvl.

Rare Spawns, their vanity loot, and quirky quest rewards.

Faction hubs per zone and what their quartermasters sell.

Zone-specific trade goods (herbs, ore, fish) and battle pets.

Transmog sets from quest rewards.

Also be sure to check out our comprehensive Mists of Pandaria Launch Guide as well as our new database features, including an interactive world map.The Jade ForestLevelingQuest Rewards

Posted 2012/09/25 at 3:30 PM by perculia

Live

Mists of Pandaria Launch Guide

went live on September 25theverythingOur database is completely updated for Mists of Pandaria as well and we added several features earlier today, most notably an interactive world map and a visual database for battle pets.hereGeneral Changesnot need to log out at midnight PSTdynamic

Posted 2012/09/24 at 8:46 PM by perculia

Live

News Round Up: Captain Placeholder, Free Epic Beta Gear, Blue Posts

Project EmersonProject Emerson Beta Tester ApplicationLatest Additionsadded some new items

Posted 2012/06/15 at 11:25 AM by perculia

Live

Mists of Pandaria: Guild Preview and News Round Up

Member's ShirtGeneral Information

Three Guild Challenge Mode Dungeons can be completed each week for guild experience beyond the daily cap. Each one rewards 10000 guild experience and .

Five Guild Scenario Challenges can be completed each week for guild experience beyond the daily cap. Each one rewards 10000 guild experience and .

Some guild perks like Have Group Will Travel have been removed.

Guild VendorsGuild Glory of the Pandaria RaiderReins of the Thundering Jade Cloud SerpentThundering Serpent HatchlingChallenge Conquerors: Gold - Guild EditionPandaren EmbassyArtisan Initiate's ShirtArtisan Member's ShirtArtisan Officer's ShirtScenario RoundupScenario Roundup

Posted 2012/05/21 at 5:42 PM by perculia

Live

Mists of Pandaria Zone Preview: Townlong Steppes

Townlong SteppesTownlong SteppesShado-PanSiege of Niuzao Templequest rewardsReins of the Onyx Cloud SerpentTemple of NiuzaoNiuzao Temple, Fields of Niuzao, Niuzao Catacombs, Sra'thkin Incursion

Posted 2012/05/16 at 9:02 AM by perculia